Page 34 of This: Blake & Emon

“My daughter-in-law can call you what she wants,” ViceAnne said, snapping pictures with her phone. Parents could be so embarrassing, but Emon had learned a long time ago to let his mom be and do her because she would always let him be and do him.

“You can put me down now.” Blake giggled, wiggling in his arms.

“I was just getting practice.” Emon placed a kiss on her lips again before setting her down. The cookout had been everything Blake didn’t know she needed. Seeing who and where he came from solidified what she already knew. She was going to have this man’s babies one day.

It was time to say their goodbyes. Blake pulled Emon aside. “Cookout at our house next?” she asked, slowly turning to face him.

“What?” Emon paused and pulled her close, searching her eyes to ensure he heard her right.

“I’ll move in with you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Watching you today with your family, seeing how you love them... I want that. I want us.”

His smile lit up his whole face. “You sure? What changed your mind?”

“Nothing changed. It was never going to be a no it was all about when. I’m ready and done being afraid of the good stuff.” She kissed him softly. “Plus, your mama already told me I’m family.”

From the doorway, ViceAnne watched with a knowing smile. Her baby had finally found his match. “Emon!” she calledout. “You better do right by that girl. She too good for these streets.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, never taking his eyes off Blake. “That’s the plan.”

“See, already family,” Blake replied with a smile.

“Lord,” he groaned out, but his eyes were dancing. “This is what I prayed for.”

“And I love that for me.” Blake couldn’t stop smiling, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. The decision felt right. As right as helping a stranger bleeding in her living room.

They said their final goodbyes, but ViceAnne didn’t want to see them leave, so she made her way to the driveway to hug Blake extra tight once more before they left.

“Welcome to the family, baby girl,” she whispered before releasing her.

As they walked to his truck, the evening air filled with laughter and music from the remaining guests, Blake felt Emon squeeze her hand.

“You know what this means, right?” he asked, opening her door and helping her in.

“What’s that?”

“You lowkey stuck with a nigga now. No takebacks.”

Blake watched him walk around to the driver’s side, thinking that the best things in life came from taking chances. From trusting your heart, even when your mind wanted to play it safe. And this? This was definitely one of those times.

“No takebacks needed,” she said as he started the truck. “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

Chapter 17

Emon groaned as he rolled over onto his back in the bed. Today was his birthday, and it had crept up on him like a thief in the night. He wasn’t one to celebrate. It was just another day in his mind, but from the smell of bacon making its way up to his nostrils, he knew his baby felt differently. He smiled, believing that her being there with him was the ultimate gift.

The sounds of Blake moving around their kitchen, probably humming while she cooked like she always did, made him appreciate how different life was now. Last year on this day, he’d been at the carwash before sunrise, treating it like any other morning. Blake had a way of making everything feel special without even trying.

His phone buzzed with birthday messages. His mom, some business partners, a few close friends, but the only person he wanted to see was downstairs making him breakfast. The smells from the kitchen were tempting enough to get him out of bed. He pulled on some sweats, handled his morning breath, and made his way downstairs.

The move in had been seamless, better than he’d even imagined. She had a bunch of shit, but together they worked to combine their previous life while also leaving space for the newone. Waking up to her soft curves pressed against him every morning had him feeling like the luckiest man on earth. The blessing that was Blake just kept giving, and he wasn’t taking any of it for granted.

He paused in the doorway, taking in the sight of her in nothing but his tee and those SKIMS flesh tone panties she knew drove him crazy. Her hair was piled high in a messy bun as she danced around their kitchen, completely in her element. A month of living together and she still took his breath away every morning.

“Morning, birthday boy,” she said without turning around.

“How you know I was here?”

“Your cologne gives you away every time.” She finally turned, and the smile she gave him made his heart skip. “Sit. Your breakfast is almost ready.”

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